Wrist Fractures

Each year, more than 300,000 people in the U.S. and approximately 1 million people worldwide break their wrist. Although wrist breaks can happen to anyone of any age through a variety of activities from skateboarding, to falling from a ladder, to slipping on ice women are most commonly affected, primarily because of osteoporosis. In fact, one in six females over the age of 55 will have at least one wrist fracture in their lifetime.

The most common wrist break is a Colles Fracture (named after the doctor who first diagnosed this type of break). This type of break occurs when a person stretches out hand in front of them to break a fall. The hand and forearm take all the weight and force from the fall and causes the wrist bones to break.

Following a fall, you may be bruised and sore. Most people will go to the hospital emergency room or clinic and seen by a doctor. Normally an X-ray of the wrist will be taken to confirm a sprain or fracture.

Your wrist is probably broken rather than sprained if you have:

persistent pain

swelling near the wrist

changes in finger movement

numbness

Breaking your wrist can be very inconvenient; interfering with normal, daily activities. Most patients are concerned about their ability to quickly return to their jobs, as well as basic activities such as driving, writing, typing, cooking showering and even brushing their teeth. A faster recovery from surgery with increased hand / wrist function is exactly why the MICRONAIL™ Fixation implant was designed.